January 28, 2009

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Florida congressman Allen Boyd announced today he will not be running for the Senate in Florida, instead seeking re-election to his Tallahassee-area House seat.

"It is my intent to continue serving the people of North Florida and run for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010,” Boyd said in a statement.

“Representing my fellow North Floridians in the U.S. House of Representatives is a job that I love and that I take very seriously.”

Boyd was viewed as a formidable contender because of his proven success winning over Republican voters in his conservative-minded Tallahassee district. A Blue Dog Democrat, Boyd has one of Congress’ most centrist voting records.

But Florida’ liberal-minded Democratic electorate might not have warmed to him in a primary. He also would have faced a geographic challenge against the two announced Democrats – Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) and state senator Dan Gelber – who are from the more populous Miami area.

ALSO: On the Republican side, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum also announced he will not be running. McCollum, who is well-known by many Floridians, had previously lost two previous bids for the Senate.

His decision raises the likelihood that the Republican primary could be a battle between former state House Speaker Marco Rubio and Rep. Connie Mack (R-Fla.). Neither candidate has officially announced their candidacy, but both are preparing campaigns behind the scenes.